US auto union says AWU can get PM up

The leader of a US union that helped get President Barack Obama re-elected has told the Australian Workers' Union (AWU) it can assist the return of a Labor government.

United Auto Workers president Bob King said his union, which represents General Motors and Ford workers, helped President Obama by building a movement of workers, immigrant and civil right groups.

"By going down to the delegate level, by going down to the local union level, and the commitments of every local union leader to talk everyday to their members about why the election was important, we won an amazing victory," he told the AWU conference on Monday.

"I know that you can do the same thing here."

"Your union is an inspiration globally."

Mr King also urged delegates to join the global fight for better pay and conditions for workers.

"We're fighting global companies," he said.

"Their greed knows no end.

"We're going to work together until we build a global middle class."

The AWU national conference on the Gold Coast is being attended by 500 delegates.

The federal election will be held on September 14.

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